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Can someone help me (in words if one syllable)

(169 Posts)
BlueBelle Sun 18-Dec-22 14:45:28

I have new neighbours moving in this week I know the family and they are decent people but I m in a bit of a pickle the lady has just come to ask me as they can’t get their wifi put on until after Christmas and have children could they I use my password for a couple of weeks and they d willingly pay me to do that I d feel terrible to say no but will it make any difference to my plan (which is wifi only with a landline but as long as I don’t use the landline for outgoing calls I pay no extra)
Hope this makes sense
On the whole I can get by technically but not very clever about all the out of normal stuff

Septimia Sun 18-Dec-22 14:50:37

Is there a limit to how much you can download for what you are paying?

I'm not certain, but I think some accounts are less expensive if you don't download masses of films or games. We certainly don't!

If your new neighbours do (especially over Christmas), it might take you over your download quota. While the neighbours have clearly offered to pay you, there might be other complications if the usual limit is exceeded.

It might be worthwhile checking your account and their usage before you agree.

Beechnut Sun 18-Dec-22 14:51:12

Perhaps you could tell them you aren’t very clever about your tech stuff and suggest they could use the mobile data on their phones. I’m not good either so I hope someone more knowledgeable comes along.

SueDonim Sun 18-Dec-22 14:53:50

I’d also suggest to them they use their phones as ‘hot spots’. It’s easy to do - they’d be better to buy a Bolt On amount of data so they have control of their spending.

AGAA4 Sun 18-Dec-22 14:55:21

I would contact my wi fi provider and ask if there would be any problem with this.

Doodledog Sun 18-Dec-22 14:57:27

'Wifi-only' just means that you don't have your mobile data (if you have it) on the same contract.

It is unlikely that your neighbours will make a difference, so long as they just want to watch TV and make festive phone calls; but if you aren't sure, check your bill and see how much you have on your contract, and how much you usually use. If there is a lot of leeway between one and the other (which is definitely the case for us) I don't think you have anything to lose, and if ever you are in the same boat they are likely to return the favour. I wouldn't hesitate, personally - it's good to be on good terms with neighbours.

sodapop Sun 18-Dec-22 15:07:39

I don't understand the technical stuff either but is there not a security risk in letting someone have your password. We did actually do this for our neighbour when his house burned down but I wasn't comfortable with it. We didn't have any problems.

BlueBelle Sun 18-Dec-22 15:08:20

Thanks I was kinda of thinking those things but just not sure what I might be missing out I ll ring my provider tomorrow and take their advice
I ve never been a bad neighbour Doodlebug even when I had the family of hell next door to me I still kept on good terms with them

VioletSky Sun 18-Dec-22 15:18:30

Your WiFi password is on your rooter.

Usually WiFi is unlimited as long as you have a router so it won't cost you anything extra

But anything they do online will be attached to your IP address at your hine

So if you are uncomfortable, please just say so, if they are decent people they will accept a no

VioletSky Sun 18-Dec-22 15:18:53

At your home, sorry

LadySybil Sun 18-Dec-22 15:26:28

I agree with previous posts around security. You don’t have a guarantee that other people aren’t going to come to their house and access the internet either.

Calendargirl Sun 18-Dec-22 15:26:40

I’m also not much good technically, but have to say I wouldn’t feel happy about doing it.

Mostly because it’s just that, no idea if I would be letting myself in for extra costs, security issues, making my own wi fi use more difficult…..especially around Christmas.

I hope someone who knows comes on and advises you correctly.

Sago Sun 18-Dec-22 15:42:33

Please don’t do this.
It’s a security risk, if anyone was using the internet for nefarious purposes it’s via your router.
Politely say no.
They should have organised Wi-Fi, they will have phones and can hot spot.

Kalu Sun 18-Dec-22 15:45:39

Not wanting to risk any fall out with your immediate neighbour, I would kindly suggest to them, there is no need for them to connect to your wifi, all they have to do is use their Personal Hotspot. It’s something they will/should be familiar with.

It isn’t something I would be comfortable doing BlueBell, especially as I am not too sure of the ins and outs in this situation.

Kalu Sun 18-Dec-22 15:47:35

NOT be comfortable doing.

welbeck Sun 18-Dec-22 15:49:09

i;d say no.
you cannot control what sites they or their visitors might access.
if there was criminality involved it would be linked to your address.
sound like cheeky pluckers to me.
what else will they ask for.
they knew they were moving in, it was their responsibility to arrange all services were in place in good time.
or maybe they thought they would play on the acquaintance with you and not bother too much.

Shropshirelass Sun 18-Dec-22 15:50:28

I would say no, do not give your passwords to anyone, not even your Wi-Fi, you don’t know what they might be logging into.

Marydoll Sun 18-Dec-22 15:55:21

I would say No. It's a security risk and you don't know what they or visitors will be watching. You have no way of knowing.
I wouldn't dream of it, not because I am mean, but because I am very aware of the implications.
That is why we have individual passwords.

They shouldn't really have put you in that position in the first place.

welbeck Sun 18-Dec-22 16:00:12

exactly, as Marydoll says.
and she knows her onions.
please be v careful, BB.
least said, soonest mended:
no, that doesn't work for me.
a useful phrase i found on MN.

NorthFace Sun 18-Dec-22 16:00:25

To what others have already said, I would add this from:

medium.com/tech-ramblings/concerned-about-privacy-the-surprising-risks-of-sharing-your-network-4b54e091e901

What’s the Risk?

There are three basic risks:

If you have computers that share files or a printer among themselves, your neighbour may be able to access them.

There’s a tiny risk that depending on how your router routes traffic that your neighbour may be able to “see” that traffic. I call it tiny because routers typically do not route traffic to computers not involved in the conversation.

If your neighbour’s computer becomes infected with malware it may propagate to your machines.

To be honest, it’s the last one that scares me the most. The first two are all about your neighbour’s intention, which in most cases is probably honest and above board and is at least something you can attempt to judge. The later, however, involves your neighbour’s ability to keep their own system free of malicious software. That’s a risk I’d be reluctant to take even with the best of intentions.

My biggest worry would be if the family are into online gaming which many are but we all know that malware can come from any number of sources, even an innocent looking email attachment that someone opens without thinking.

This from security experts Kaspersky:

www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/top-10-online-gaming-risks

My advice is to say no and explain why. It may well be that they aren't very knowedgeable themselves about online security. A neighbourly act could unwittingly put your own online security at risk.

Philippa111 Sun 18-Dec-22 16:04:33

In all fairness to the neighbours they may well have tried to get wi-fi before moving in. My friend moved recently and despite having ordered the wi-fi for her move in date BT didn't get it together for another few weeks!
I would say no to the wi-fi as there are other options they can pursue but I would definitely have a box of chocolates or some flowers and a 'Welcome to your new home' card to leave out for them which shows that whilst you are not open to sharing your wi-fi you want to be friendly. Upstairs from me is rented out and I make a point of doing this when new people move in. It works well.

Norah Sun 18-Dec-22 16:17:36

If I remember correctly, posted in a thread about potentially loosing power during planned shut-downs --- if a mobile is available it can be used for internet related activities. Made no sense to me, no mobile any longer, but mobile owners all seemed to agree and be purchasing some 'backup' power sources for their mobiles. Maybe this is an answer?

Marydoll Sun 18-Dec-22 16:34:01

What about saying that you have checked with your internet provider and it's a definite No?
I'm positive that's what they would advise anyway.
That's a simple solution, without offending anyone.

I certainly wouldn't have the nerve to ask in the first place.

Doodledog Sun 18-Dec-22 16:54:17

BlueBelle

Thanks I was kinda of thinking those things but just not sure what I might be missing out I ll ring my provider tomorrow and take their advice
I ve never been a bad neighbour Doodlebug even when I had the family of hell next door to me I still kept on good terms with them

I wasn't suggesting you would be smile. I just meant that for no cost to you you could do them a favour, and it would put you on good terms from the start.

Baggs Sun 18-Dec-22 16:59:03

It is unlikely that your neighbours will make a difference, so long as they just want to watch TV and make festive phone calls

Don't have a telly but when I did you definitely didn't need wi-fi to watch it, and they definitely should use their mobiles to make festive phone calls.